Saints History After Bye Week

Looking back at the Saints history after a bye and how they might fare coming back from an off week.

Bye weeks have been a part of the NFL schedule every year but one since 1990. In 2001, the NFL planned to eliminate bye weeks for two years. However, a combination of 9/11 terrorist attacks and resulting schedule shuffling caused all but the Saints, Steelers, Chargers, Cardinals, and Buccaneers to have byes once games resumed. There was also the oddity of the 1993 campaign, where all teams had two byes during an 18-week schedule. 

The New Orleans Saints have their bye this week, joining the Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, and New England Patriots. They come into the off week with a 5-5 record, but still hold first place in the NFC South by a half game. 

The bye couldn't come at a better time for the Saints. New Orleans is reeling after an embarrassing performance against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10. The Saints have a load of issues to fix offensively, defensively, and in the coaching staff if they have any hope of winning the division. 

Additionally, the off week will help injured starters like QB Derek Carr, WR Michael Thomas, and CB Marshon Lattimore. All three were injured against the Vikings. The extent of their injuries will be monitored, but none of the three would have likely played in a Week 11 game.

Nov 12, 2023; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes against the Minnesota Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY

Hope After the Bye?

Since 1990, the Saints have a 19-13 record (.594) in their first game after a bye. They are 8-9 in such games on the road, where they'll be in Week 12. When facing a divisional opponent immediately after a bye, the Saints are 6-5, including 2-2 on the road. Since realignment in 2002, they are 13-8 (.619) immediately following their bye, with a 5-5 mark on the road. 

When returning to action, the Saints will travel to play the 4-6 Atlanta Falcons in a critical NFC South matchup. Interestingly, the Saints have faced the Falcons five times when coming off a bye, more than any other opponent in that scenario. New Orleans is just 2-3 against Atlanta in those games, including 0-2 on the road.

• 1990 (Week 5) - at Falcons (L = 27-28)

• 2003 (Week 11) - vs. Falcons (W = 23-20)

• 2008 (Week 10) - at Falcons (L = 20-34)

• 2019 (Week 10) - vs. Falcons (L = 9-26)

• 2022 (Week 15) - vs. Falcons (W = 21-18)

Dec 18, 2022; Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs against New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) and linebacker Pete Werner (20. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

New Orleans has won their last three and six of their last seven games immediately following a bye, including a win over the Falcons last season. Their last loss? At the hands of Atlanta in 2019. Their last road loss after a bye came against the Houston Texans in 2015.

Four of the last seven games on the New Orleans schedule are against NFC South foes. Two of those are against Atlanta. Only one of the remaining Saints opponents currently have a record above .500.

In spite of their poor play through the first 10 games, New Orleans has a golden opportunity to at least win the NFC South. However, it's up to the Saints to actually capitalize on this opportunity. It needs to start with a strong performance out of the bye against bitter rival Atlanta.